Defensive lineman had 56 solo stops in 2011

Two visits to Columbus and a rousing spring game were all it took for St. Thomas (Fort Lauderdale) standout defensive end Joey Bosa to decide.

On Monday afternoon, the son of former Miami Dolphins defensive end John Bosa announced he was ending the recruiting process and had verbally committed to Ohio State and coach Urban Meyer.

"The first time I went up there last weekend, right after leaving, I had that feeling that everyone told me I'd have when I found where I wanted to go," Bosa said. "I told myself to wait it out, but the feeling didn't go away. So I went up [again] for the spring game and it felt right at the moment."

Bosa, who is rated the nation's No. 14 overall prospect by Rivals.com, missed time last season with a concussion but still managed 56 solo tackles, including 24 for loss, 9.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

Along with Ohio State, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound lineman had been considering offers from Florida, Florida State, Wisconsin, Michigan and Alabama.

"To me, he's the best defensive lineman in the country," St. Thomas coach Rocco Casullo said. "He's very versatile. He can play inside and out and he's extremely athletic. In the 11 years I've been here, he's the most dominant defensive player I've seen at St. Thomas Aquinas."

John Bosa, who played for the Dolphins from 1987-89, had his NFL career cut short by injuries.